Papworth Catholic Church, Papworth, Cambridgeshire - August 2016

Landie_Man · Nov 30, 2016

Papworth Catholic Church, Papworth, Cambridgeshire - August 2016

Well yet again I have let another HUGE backlog build up so apologies there! I explored this little church with Mookster way back in August while on the way to doing another few local sites.

Its a pretty small building so we went around it quickly, not much about this online; what we do know is that it has been disused for a fair few years. We tried to find it while doing the Printworks opposite in December 2015 but could not find a way in.

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As always guys, its a pleasure, thanks for looking. Time for me to knuckle down with lots of coffee and get through another backlog!

More Derpy Church at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/landie_man/albums/72157673851677350

Sam Haltin · Nov 30, 2016

That organ looks as though its in good condition and working, although could do with a polish. Nice post.

Frenchie · Dec 5, 2016

Not really abandoned

Hello, I am French and this is far from being a first visit because I love this site, but although I can hardly contribute by photos, about this church I can say it is not in dereliction because of abandonment or outright disused, though there are the masses in the hospital chapel in Papworth.
The diocese submitted a planning application in 2013, for the demolition of the church hall, which was the first church on the site, but derelict beyond repair; and the erection of a single dwelling instead, as well as restoration of the church itself.
This planning application was refused in August 2014, the reasons not being stated here, and there was no appeal.
WPHAPPDETAIL
I hope this "all-text" contribution will not bore you too much... ;-)

Landie_Man said:
Papworth Catholic Church, Papworth, Cambridgeshire - August 2016

Well yet again I have let another HUGE backlog build up so apologies there! I explored this little church with Mookster way back in August while on the way to doing another few local sites.

Its a pretty small building so we went around it quickly, not much about this online; what we do know is that it has been disused for a fair few years. We tried to find it while doing the Printworks opposite in December 2015 but could not find a way in.

As always guys, its a pleasure, thanks for looking. Time for me to knuckle down with lots of coffee and get through another backlog!

More Derpy Church at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/landie_man/albums/72157673851677350

Dirus_Strictus · Feb 5, 2017

I always find it thought provoking that one can wandered around the remains of 19th C and older religious buildings (no matter what state of dereliction they are in), and still get a presence of devotion and prayer - no matter what your beliefs or the size of the ruins. Then came the construction era of which these are a prime example, and which I found soul destroying, hideous and cheaply constructed when they were in use (attended two weddings here) - never mind abandoned! I am not particularly religious, but I can certainly understand the mind set of the medieval Masons who poured their hearts and talents into the great Medieval Cathedrals of Europe. One can pray in the open field, but if we must have a modern place of worship at least give it a 'presence' or 'soul'. I've stood in weaving sheds, decorated for worship, that felt more godlike and welcoming than this place ever was for me. I don't think there is any mystery to the planning application - probably the Church trying to use its wealth and position to get housing built in an area with certain protections/prohibitions listed against same. One soon realises that when there is no appeal lodged by the applicant in these or similar cases, that they hadn't a leg to stand on in the first instance.

smiler · Feb 5, 2017

Lovely clean pics Landie,. Although I absolutely agree with DS, the harvest Thanksgiving held in the fields with most of the village there when the last field had bin safely harvested is something I remember with reverence, along with the formal Harvest Festival later, but it's not the building that makes the church its the folk who use it. Here Endeth the sermon.